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These typically small fishes are distinguished by their sucking disc in front of the belly which is a modification of the pelvic fin. The pattern of tiny papillae on the undersurface of the pelvic disc is a useful feature in identifying genera. There is a single dorsal fin (without spines), the head is flattened and the body generally elongate; there are no scales.

The pelvic disc is used to cling to rocks, weeds, sessile invertebrates, and a few species can adhere to the surface of larger fishes. They feed on zooplankton, algae, and small benthic invertebrates.

The family occurs worldwide in tropical to warm temperate areas, in both marine and freshwater habitats, and is represented by at least 120 species in 36 genera. The 1955 review by Briggs and several of his subsequent papers give comprehensive coverage of eastern Pacific species; 31 marine species (all endemics) in four genera (one endemic) are found in our area.

Garman, S., 1875., Notes on some fishes and reptiles from the western coast of South America., Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 18:202-205.

Gilbert, C.H., 1890., A preliminary report on the fishes collected by the steamer "Albatross" on the Pacific coast of North America during the year 1889, with descriptions of twelve new genera and ninety-two new species., Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 13:49-126.

Günther, A., 1864., On some new species of Central American fishes., Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 14:227-232.

Jordan , D.S. and Evermann, B.W., 1898., The fishes of North and Middle America: a descriptive catalogue of the species of fish-like vertebrates found in the waters of North America, north of the Isthmus of Panama. Part III., Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 47:2183-3136.

Jordan , D.S. and Gilbert, C.H., 1882., Description of thirty-three new species of fishes from Mazatlan, Mexico., Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 4(1881):338-365.

Jordan , D.S. and Gilbert, C.H., 1882., List of Fishes now in the Museum of Yale College, Collected by Prof. Frank H. Bradley, at Panama, with Descriptions of Three New Species., Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 5:620-632.

Jordan , D.S. and Gilbert, C.H., 1883., List of the fishes now in the museum of Yale College, collected by Prof. Frank H. Bradley at panama, with descriptions of three new species., Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 5(1882):620-632.

Love, M.S., Mecklenburg, C.W., Mecklenburg, T.A., Thorsteinson, L.K., 2005., es of the West Coast and Alaska: a checklist of North Pacific and Artic Ocena species from Baja California to the Alaska-Yukon border., U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, 288pp.